Opinions? Should we take the stroller or not?

[wildeflowers]

Hi, all. I'm a newbie, but have one big question I just can't seem to answer and my husband and I differ on our opinions. Help us please!

We are planning a last minute trip to WDW, and are leaving Saturday. My daughter ~just~ turned 5 yo, and I'm not sure if we should take our stroller or not.

FWIW, she is very energetic and NEVER uses a stroller at home. Once in a while she will ask to be carried, such as on long hikes, etc. I pulled out our old lightweight one, but better than an umbrella and washed it a few days ago planning to take it with us. My thoughts were that it's not big deal, it's less than 15 lbs., we can gate check it, and it's there if we need it, plus it can hold all our stuff in the basket (a feature I love, lol).

My husband however, does not want to "deal" with bringing it and thinks she can walk. I am not able to carry her, and told him he would have to be the one to carry her if she got tired. Of course, he doesn't want to do that either, but also said that we can rent one if necessary.

Since I am a light packer, I love the thought of toting one less thing, but is it realistic to think a 5 yo can "do" WDW walking the whole time? If we need it, I would rather take it and spend the money the rental would cost us on something else. The cost of the rental would not make or break our trip, but who likes to waste money?

So WDW gurus, what do you think?

 

[antsss]

My youngest is 6 and never uses a stroller anymore, but when we're in Disney we bring it!! She's full of energy and walks all around Hershey Park, the Zoo, the Aquarium, but in Disney it's different!! We also like using it to hold jackets, rain gear, souvenirs, etc. If you get some rain you can park DD in it and cover her with a rain cover or poncho and keep her dry and warm. If you bring an old stroller and you find you're not using it like you thought you would you can always "gift" it to a family dealing with a sleepy little one and be free of it for the rest of the trip. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[tartemis]

Personally, I wouldn't. My 2 1/2 year old basically walked the whole time on our last trip. We brought a stroller for the infant only.

 

[unclescrooge_0707]

Hi, all. I'm a newbie, but have one big question I just can't seem to answer and my husband and I differ on our opinions. Help us please!

We are planning a last minute trip to WDW, and are leaving Saturday. My daughter ~just~ turned 5 yo, and I'm not sure if we should take our stroller or not.

FWIW, she is very energetic and NEVER uses a stroller at home. Once in a while she will ask to be carried, such as on long hikes, etc. I pulled out our old lightweight one, but better than an umbrella and washed it a few days ago planning to take it with us. My thoughts were that it's not big deal, it's less than 15 lbs., we can gate check it, and it's there if we need it, plus it can hold all our stuff in the basket (a feature I love, lol).

My husband however, does not want to "deal" with bringing it and thinks she can walk. I am not able to carry her, and told him he would have to be the one to carry her if she got tired. Of course, he doesn't want to do that either, but also said that we can rent one if necessary.

Since I am a light packer, I love the thought of toting one less thing, but is it realistic to think a 5 yo can "do" WDW walking the whole time? If we need it, I would rather take it and spend the money the rental would cost us on something else. The cost of the rental would not make or break our trip, but who likes to waste money?

So WDW gurus, what do you think?

it sounds like you're flying, but we drove, and found out AFTER we got there that we needed 2 strollers (4 yr old and 18 month old. I thought she put it in the van, she thought i did. it was a whole thing). Anyway, a double stroller was $31 a day to rent (singles are $15 i think). We ran to target (about 6? miles outside of WDW) and bought 2 $15 lime green umbrella strollers. They were beat up at the end of the trip, and though we brought them home, they weren't in the "best" of shape. I'm not saying we were right, but, it was the right thing for us to do. but, getting to target may be tough. Otherwise, World of Disney at DownTown Disney SOLD strollers ($30-$45). It was a Disney McLaren stroller, so, a potential souvineir? (sp? i'm a horrid speller. sorry to any teachers that read this.)

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't bring it. All mine walked the whole time from 4 on. and no they weren't carried. Kids have more energy than adults.

Disney is not a marathon. It is a lot of walking but it is broken up. It is walk some, stand, sit, walk a little more, sit a long time, some shows and rides are 20 -45 minutes. there is as much sitting in Disney as there is walking.
a 5 yr old also isn't going to expect a stroller so they will just walk because really that is what kids their age do so it won't be a big deal she won't even think about it just go with the flow.

 

[squirrel]

You didn't mention when you are going.

If it's hot, then I would definately bring it.

My niece needed a stroller last year. She was almost 6 yrs old.

You can always bring it and park it in the area you are in and then get it and move to the next area. I liked having it. I knew where my niece was when it was crowded. She had a spot to sit to see the parades (no hot cement). She could stay out of the sun more with the large canopy on the stroller. I could get where I wanted to go at a good pace (she's rather slow, I'm apparently super fast-according to others).

The stroller Disney sells is not a Maclaren. It is also more like $55-60 dollars. Someone posted a link to what the stroller looks like quite a while ago.

 

[RMulieri]

I wouldn't...My 4yr old walked the entire trip and in the heat and humidity of Sept.As long as you take breaks you should be fine.Disney is alot of walking, but not CONTINUALLY..there are plenty of sitting down on rides and in show moments

 

[Coconuts]

BRING IT!!!!

Sometimes I wish I had a stroller for myself at WDW. I think it's unreasonable to think that a 4yo won't get tired and want to be pushed in a stroller at the end of the day, or even after a day or two walking at WDW.

DH didn't want to bring 2 strollers on our last trip and of course our just- turned -6yo wound up using one at the end of the day several times. When she didn't sit in it, we used it for storage(jackets, umbrellas, ponchos, etc.).

If you really think she won't use it, leave it in the room the first day and see how she does. If she does well, then so what, you have an extra gate check item. But if she will need it after your first day, then you just saved a boatload of money renting a WDW stroller. They aren't cheap.

 

[pyrxtc]

My kids stopped using theirs at about age 4. lots of walking and if you absolutely must have one towards the end of the day, chances are good that someone leaving will just hand you over theirs. They don't get any money back on it and it's not like you can get it out of the park to take it home with you. Even with a stroller, you end up carrying them back to the hotel or bus since the stroller has to be folded to gt on the bus.

 

[mejkjj97]

My 4 year old still needed a stroller last year. I think it depends on the time of year that you are going also. We go in August and with the heat my daughter liked to sit in the stroller with her fan to cool off.
There were some parks that we didn't use the stroller in - Hollywood Studios- because the park isn't large but we always used it in the Magic Kingdom to go from one side of the park to another quickly.
if you don't bring one and realize you need one you can buy a red Chico that Disney sells (i don't believe it has a canopy) but it's cheaper than renting on each day.

 

[wildeflowers]

Thanks for all the advice. I just have to lol because it seems everyone is so divided. It sounds like all the reasoning that my husband and I are doing here.

We're leaving Saturday, and the weather is supposed to be perfect, mid 80's high to mid 60's low, only a chance of showers on 1 day. Antsss, I like your idea!

Well, I guess I still haven't decided, but I am leaning towards bringing it and leaving it in the hotel for a day or two to see if we really need it. I'll definitely post how it went when we get back!

 

[YellowJackets]

My thoughts, we are going in 2 weeks and taking a "regular" strollers for our 18 month old and an umbrella style for our 4 year old. We took 2 last time for or 5 and 4 year old at the time, a life saver some days.

a couple other things to consider ...

How many days will you be there? If only 3 or so, I think you could do without it, but the more days of walking, the more your husband will get run down throughout the week carrying her when he needs too.

At MK, the would only use the stroller when traveling between areas. We would use it to travel back to fantasyland, but then park it and walk from ride to ride, and only use it again when traveling to another area.

At Epcot, you will want it if you are going to visit the world attactions, a lot of walking.

At MGM, you can go without it, the layout is smaller and much easier to walk.

 

[Ariel8676]

I say bring it..i see sooo many cranky, tired little ones by the end of the day. Yes kids have more energy than adults, but their legs are shorter..so that means 2 steps (at least) to your 1. First day might be ok, but what if their little feet are sore or tired? What if they get a blister..then its off to rent a stroller for the rest of the time.
I have 4 children and i can't tell you how many times they have fallen asleep on the bus ride back to the resort..its so nice to unfold the stroller and push them back to the room.
If anything you have something to hold your backpack or whatever and drinks!

 

[karemore]

You don't have to tote the stroller. Use it as a cart. It's great in the airport for your carry-on stuff and drinks while your are waiting. Chances are it's a long walk from your arrival gate to wherever you need to be at the orlando airport. Pile on all your stuff.

It nice to have if you plan to go to the pool at your resort/hotel. Especially if it's crowded and you don't get a chair for your stuff. Just hang your towels on the stroller and hop in the pool.

We're going next week with our 5 year old and wouldn't dream of leaving the stroller home. She may never ride in it, but we'll have it if she wants it and make good use of it the rest of the time.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yes.

 

[antsss]

We look like a roving band of gypsies walking with our stroller by the end of the day. We secure an open park map and times guide on the canopy, there are jackets piled on the seat, ponchos and the rain cover in the basket, cups in the cup holder, misting fan and bags and water bottles hanging from the handles...
We never leave anything valuable in it if we walk away from it, but we couldn't live without it. We also tend to park it in one of the stroller parking areas and travel around whichever "land" we're in. Then someone just goes and grabs it when we're ready to move on.

 

[jenb1023]

Take it!

Even if you end up not needing it for your DD, it is still great for holding ponchos, sweatshirts and other stuff you don't want to carry on the rides.

My DD is 6 1/2 and I will take ours on our Universal/WDW trip in a few weeks.

 

[WAHMto5]

Our youngest is also 5 and we will be bringing the stroller again for this trip. Better to be safe then sorry! Especially if it is hot or tired, it works so much better!

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

Laugh at me if you like, but...we took both of our unbrella strollers last year DS's were 5/7-we used them constantly. the little bit of storage in the pouches is great and truthfully who wants to hold their "baby" in September heat waiting in line for the bus when they fall asleep (once mine realize they will miss nothing they are out till the bus gets there. We are laughing at ourselves but still planning on bringing them this year.

 

[r&kmommy]

I think if you are even "thinking" of possibly renting one, then take the stroller. Better to have it when/if you need it rather than have to shell out $$$$$ for one kwim?